Immigration Group attorneys Houman Afshar and Associate Zarina Syed spoke at the 2016 American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 22-26. Houman spoke on PERM Labor Certification matters, “Completing ETA Form 9141, ETA Form 9089, and Form I-140: A Practical Workshop” and Zarina spoke on marriage-based green card strategies, “Party of Two at the Elvis Chapel: Marriage Based Immigration Cases.”
Recent Developments in Anticounterfeiting Law
Intellectual Property Group Chair Brian W. Brokate spoke at the Fairfield County Bar Association on Wednesday, October 28, 2015. He discussed investigative and enforcement strategies, remedies and important anticounterfeiting measures to help a brand owner implement and conduct its anticounterfeiting program.
Brian Brokate Spoke at PLI’s Intellectual Property Law Institute
On Monday, September 28, 2015, Brian Brokate spoke at PLI’s Intellectual Property Law Institute, which has been named a “must attend” program for IP lawyers. The program provided a complete analysis of key events of all areas of IP, providing updates on cases, legislation and government agency developments that IP lawyers need to know. Prominent IP counsel spoke about the many facets of current interest for dealing with IP and suggesting best practices and strategies. Brian spoke at a plenary session on trademark law, specifically he will be speaking on updates in anticounterfeiting.
Angelo Mazza Lectured on Fighting Counterfeiting at the Italian Embassy
On Monday, April 27, 2015, Intellectual Property Partner, Angelo Mazza addressed participants from the public and private sectors at the Italian Embassy during a program entitled, “Fighting Counterfeits: Future Challenges and Cooperation between the US and Italy.” The all-day event took place in the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC and discussed joint U.S. and Italian actions for brand protection and anticounterfeiting.
Angelo was the lead speaker on the panel entitled, “The Experience of the Private Sector” and focused his remarks specifically on European companies developing a proactive U.S. intellectual property enforcement policy. Other speakers included industry leaders, government officials and law enforcement.
Brian W. Brokate Co-Chairs PLI’s Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement 2015
On January 23, 2015, Gibney’s IP practice head, Brian Brokate, is again serving as Co-Chair for the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement 2015 run by the Practicing Law Institute (PLI).
The conference consists of panel discussions composed of in-house counsel, attorneys from private practices and government agents that have expertise in the latest developments of Intellectual Property Law. The panel discussions, held in New York, will also be broadcast online and at Groupcast locations in Ohio and New Jersey.
Gibney Partner, Angelo Mazza, will also speak at the conference. His panel discussion at 9:15 am will focus on current government IP enforcement programs.
In addition to Co-Chairing the event, Brian Brokate will speak on a panel at 1:45 pm, entitled Anti-counterfeiting Update, which will provide a study of the most recent U.S. case law and legislation regarding anti-counterfeiting.
Brian Brokate Featured on IP Fridays
Brian Brokate was featured on IP Fridays, a weekly podcast covering IP topics including trademark, patent and design. Brian, the head of Gibney’s Intellectual Property Group, described his experience battling counterfeiters across the globe. He discussed how counterfeiting has changed over time and how brand owners can best protect their brands, even on a limited budget. Increasingly, brick-and-mortar counterfeiting operations are moving out of storefronts into online forums. Brian discussed the remedies at the disposal of brand owners and new regulations necessary to stop counterfeiters in their tracks
Immigration, Tax and Estate Planning Options for US Permanent Residence Status
Gibney presented the seminar “Thinking of Getting a Green Card? Immigration, Tax and Estate Planning Options for those Seeking Permanent Residence Status in the U.S.”
The process for obtaining Lawful Permanent Resident Status in the U.S. is complex and arduous. While a Green Card confers many privileges, it also imposes many obligations. In this seminar, the panel explored various immigration, tax and estate planning considerations for green card seekers, including:
- Paths to Permanent Residence: advantages and limitations of various green card categories
- Income Tax Consequences for Green Card Holders
- Expatriation Considerations for Permanent Residents
- Estate Planning: (making pre-green card gifts; non-citizen spouse; worldwide assets; minor children)
Speakers include tax partners Gerald Dunworth and Meredith Mazzola.
Immigration Practice Featured at Totally Expat Show 2014 in New York City
On Tuesday, March 25, 2014, Gibney Immigration Partners Stephen J.O. Maltby and Ellen Poreda and Gibney Senior Counsel, Deborah Davy, will be attending the 2014 Totally Expat Show, held by the Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM), at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Ms. Davy will be speaking, along with other field experts, as part of an immigration panel entitled, “What you need to know about the latest compliance changes.” The panel discussion will focus on current trends and the latest changes in immigration compliance around the world.
Mr. Maltby, Ms. Poreda and Ms. Davy will also be present in the show’s exhibit hall at Gibney’s booth to answer questions about global mobility legal services, including Expat Protection Planning. If you are attending the conference, please stop by to say hello at booth number D12.
Minal Shah and Deborah Davy Present Adapting to Global Changes: Immigration, Tax and Relocation
Immigration Group attorneys Minal Shah and Deborah Davy will be presenting at the 2014 BAMM Annual Global Mobility conference. BAMM is a relocation council in Northern California that provides networking and educational opportunities to all related industry professionals. Ms. Shah will be moderating the panel entitled “Adapting to Global Changes: Immigration, Tax and Relocation,” and expert panelists including Ms. Davy will discuss global mobility trends and provide practical advice on managing the mobility process. This event will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, CA on February 27, 2014.
Gibney Attorneys Present at CIS Wealth Conference in Russia
On February 18, 2014, Immigration Attorney Rosanna M. Fox and Tax and Estate Planning Partner Meredith M. Mazzola will speak at the CIS Wealth St. Petersburg in Russia, a pan-regional conference for the leading professionals representing HNWI and UHNWI from Europe, the Americas, Middle East and CIS countries. Ms. Fox and Ms. Mazzola will focus their presentation on investment-related business and immigration strategies in the U.S.